Report: Branden Carlson leaves Thunder to join Trail Blazers on 1-year deal

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As NBA free agency plays out, the Oklahoma City Thunder have lost another piece from their squad over the last two years. Branden Carlson has reportedly signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Trail Blazers add some much-needed frontcourt depth. Meanwhile, the Thunder lose their best two-way player over the last two seasons. He averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in his time in OKC. He shot 34.9% from 3 on 2.1 attempts. The 27-year-old is a 7-foot-0, 220-pound center.

The Thunder added Carlson after he went undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft. During his two years in OKC, he signed a couple of 10-day deals alongside the two-way spot he occupied. Alas, they had no room to eventually convert him to a standard deal.

The Thunder are pretty loaded at the frontcourt now. Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Aday Mara and Thomas Sorber beef up the center position. So it makes sense that Carlson goes elsewhere and finally lands a standard roster spot.

Free agent 7-footer Branden Carlson has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Portland picks up a big man who has developed in the OKC Thunder system over the last two seasons, finalizing a deal with @PrioritySports'… pic.twitter.com/N1XunKYLW3

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Report: Branden Carlson leaves Thunder to join Trail Blazers on 1-year deal

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